The Happiest Baby on The Block

There was a time...when I was petrified to be a mom and I wondered if I would love the little person growing inside of me.

There was a time...when Mary was 4weeks-10weeks old and screamed every night from 6pm-midnight. Brian was sure she hated him. There are so many recommendations for a colicky baby, one of them being the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" - it gives the 5 :"S's" to comforting your baby; Swaddle, put the baby on their Side, Shush, Sway, and Suck...I always thought the 6th "S" should be Scotch (for parents, of course)

There was a time...that I cried for 22 miles straight on my first day back to the office, sure Mary wouldn't be able to survive without me. I showed up at noon and my co-workers immediately took my red swollen eyes out to lunch.

There was a time that I fell asleep in the rocking chair with a teething 7 month old who didn't care that I had to go to work in the morning, she just wanted her mommy, she just wanted to be held.
There are times now...for the challenging-age-twos. Mary is realizing she is her own person and it is her mission to try to see how far she can push her mommy and daddy. Not terribly surprising since she is half Brian. I can only imagine the slamming doors that may happen in 10 years.

But then there are so many moments like the one I captured above. We had just gotten home from the pumpkin patch and she was having her first Cider Donut - Yum. That smile, those little pudgy hands, I can almost hear her voice squeal in delight. Times like this make it all worth it, this is why we have kids.

I'm so happy I caught this on camera - I'll have to remind myself to look at this post the next time she drops to the floor in a tantrum. I'll have to give this tip to other moms, all you need for the Happiest Baby on the Block is the 5 "S's" and Cider Donuts...and Scotch.

Project: New Roof 2012

Part of having an older house is the projects are pretty big. I have a friend with a new house and he was talking about how he had to fix the handle on the sliding glass door...I shook my head thinking about the to-do list in our house, but it is a labor of love. I grew up in a house that was constantly being remodeled, so I guess I expect it and don't know any different. Just another way my parents made me a well rounded person.

SO, Brian was adamant about getting a new roof. Me, being the cheap one, kept wondering if we could put it off a year. But I knew that a new roof could uncover some bigger issues that we would want to fix sooner rather than later.

Turns out this is the best money ever spent; a big hole was found in the chimney that could be leading to the plaster bubbling in the living room, one night during construction it rained and water was leaking in the master bedroom and storage room (lovingly called "Kevin's room" for the youngest of the McGough kids) so Al-Contractor-Extraordinaire came out at 11pm to put on the biggest tarp I have ever seen. Al really was the best, he did a great job and appreciated the history and uniqueness of our house, his team was fantastic and I feel it was a job well done - Even my Dad was pleased.

Here are some pictures - Enjoy!

Dumpster arrives - "Big Truck" Mary said!

Taking off two layers of roof

This is Ryan, one of the hardest working guys I have ever met

All Clean - we were pleased that the wood was in pretty good shape after 85 years!

Uh-oh....hole on the back side of the chimney...

Brick and mortar literally crumbling...

Call in the Chimney Guys! More scaffoding, patched up the chimney and new cap

Not a job I would want to have...

All fixed! Such peace of mind to know it is a job well done.

Uh-oh! Rained one night and Contractor-Al put up the Biggest tarp I have ever seen!

New roof going on!

All Done! So Pretty!

The garage got a new roof too - now Brian can do projects out there without water streaming in.

POST NOTE: I just received this from Daniel McGough - a little history about the chimney:
Thank you for relating all the touching factoids about "your" house.

The chimney was rebuilt around 1972. The mason was an older chap, 

and Ellie offered my brother Michael and I as laborers. Some of those 

stones weigh more than 50 lbs, and we struggled not to drop them. 

The repair took place in the middle of the summer, and I can 

remember Ellie handing us lemonade thru the bathroom window. 

She casually asked the masons age, and when he said he was 70, 

I thought she was going to faint. I guess the repair lasted 40 years.

Thanks for being such wonderful stewards to 373.

Regards,

Daniel

Frumpy Face



Brynn's Frumpy Face

Brian and I were going to a little getaway this weekend to Lake Geneva for our Anniversary. I had a lakeview room with a soaking tub reserved at the Geneva Inn. Champagne, fruit and cheese were going to be in our room when we arrived. Once I made the reservations, I was excited beyond belief and I realized how much I needed a vacation.
Last week we got word that the roofers were going to start right before we left...Hmmm, maybe we should postpone. On Monday, both Mary and I got sick - Brian must be next, there is no way we'll all be well enough to leave before Friday...maybe we should postpone. After a late night discussion before we fell asleep (isn't that when all the best discussions happen?) we agreed...let postpone. I called the Inn to re-schedule for the next weekend and the only room they had left is a parking lot view with two double beds...not exactly the romantic getaway I had envisioned.

I realize it's all for good reasons, but still - I feel it's worth a pout or two....hence the frumpy face. I know, I know, I'm sure many families wish their big problem today is that their vacation was postponed so they could get a roof on their dreamhouse...but still. *sigh*

On the other hand, I'm getting lots of good stories and pictures to tell about the roof! Pics and posts to come :)

I love you more...

Happy Anniversary to my dear husband. I always thought it was a little cheesy when people say "I love you more everyday". I mean really, in the midst of the absolute bliss of a wedding I felt like I was walking a foot off the ground. How would it be possible to love him more?

Three years into this marriage, I get it. How men share a bond in war, there are things that Brian and I have been through together that is ours only. And I can honestly say, I love him more today than I did on our wedding day - and that is saying a lot.

I love you Brian...I love you more...everyday.

Dear Mary,

You are my sunshine...my only sunshine

There is so much to tell, I thought I would just give some bullets.

 

These are a few of your favorite things & what you are up to:

 

• Your playhouse where you “cook” by using sticks, leaves, and grass. You also “cook” at Marmee and Grampy’s beach where you make cakes out of sand and then blow out a “candle” (stick) that’s on top.
• Lady and the Tramp – or as you say “DOGGIES!”. It’s perfect because it is a little over an hour long and keeps your attention the whole time. When the scene comes on in the dog pound and the dogs are howling/singing, you “Whooooooo” along with them. It cracks up Grampy.
• Lilo and Stitch – or as you say “STITCH!”. You love the music and dancing in this, but I sometimes think there is too much yelling and hitting in this movie….it will stay a staple, but I may start pushing Cinderella soon.
• Your Baby Dollies – You just learned that their clothes come off, so that has become a favorite thing to do is get them dressed and undressed. Last night you put the sling around Daddy’s neck and then gave him the baby doll to hold. I love that you have such a strong nurturing father figure in your life. I think you will be a good person because of it.
• Playing Horsie – I kneel on the floor and you come up behind me and put your arms on my shoulder. I hold your hands and lean forward so you are sitting on my back. You’re still learning how to hang on, but you think it is hilarious when we bounce you around.
• Feeding the Dogs – You have a new chore. It is your job to help feed Izzy and Eddie. We open the food bin and you scoop the food in the bowls. I came home last night right as this was happening, I asked if you were doing your chores and you said “Helping!”. That made me smile.
• Pooping – Sorry honey, but this is probably only the start of the embarrassing stories to come in your lifetime. Over the years to come, I plan on saving some good ones for your prom date. We are hoping that it is a good thing that you go and look for a private place when you need to go poo-poo, that it means you are getting close to wanting to be potty trained. Here is what happens: all of a sudden you are real quiet in another room. Of course, I think you are choking on something, so I go to investigate. I peek my head around the corner to find you thinking real hard and you wave your little arm at me as if to shoo me away and say in a little voice “Go – Go – Go” we’ll repeat this a few times and then when you are done you come in the room where we are, hold your nose and say “P-U”.
• Amber Teething Necklace – In California, all of the babies wear these pretty amber necklaces. Apparently the amber has healing properties and help the pain and inflammation that happens with teething. I just never felt the need to get one, but then you started getting molars. Oh boy. I finally got one and I think you are glad I did. It's a pretty lemonade-color choker-size necklace (it comes off during naps) Sometimes, I get the feeling that Marmee thinks some of my accessories for you are silly, but she is a good sport and goes along with them. You were staying with her for a while when Daddy was out of town, the one morning she didn’t put on your necklace because it didn't match your outift and you were Miss. Fussy-pants all morning, so now she is a believer, too!
• Talking - You are putting words together now, which is exciting for me. In the last week alone, you seem to be such a little kid instead of a baby. You look us right in the eye and talk to us…I know it sounds silly, but maybe someday when you are a mommy you will understand. Yesterday you were at the Pet Store with me and Marmee. I was holding you up to look at the “Teeny Tiny Mousies”, then I set you down and you walked over to the Guinea Pigs and said “Big Mousie!”
• Time Out – Part of being a newborn baby is not realizing you are not part of your Mommy, you only knew one existence and that was in Mommy’s tummy, so when you are born babies love to be swaddled and held close. Not the case for you as a 19-month-old! You are definitely asserting your independence. So much so, last night you had your first “time-out”. It was exhausting for Mommy, but it was needed. In the end, you said “sorry”, I said “I love you”, we hugged and actually had a very nice evening after that. Hopefully we don’t have to do that too often through the years.
• Big Girl - you do not like anything "baby" anymore. You are borderline on eating in a high-chair and just want to sit at the table. No bibs, no crawling up the stairs (you like to hold our hands and step on each stair). Whenever we are around girls older than you, you can't take your eyes off them. I love seeing you grow up, but I already miss my baby who I could rock to sleep.

I love you Mary, Time-outs and all.

 

Love,
Mommy

Outrigger Chicago

It still seems unbelieve able how Brian found his Outrigger Crew out here. A member randomly was at the Woody Event in Crystal Lake while we were in town before we moved here. They had an outrigger and no experience. Brian had experience and no outrigger. The planets aligned.

The crew was made up of Polish Nationals, some of whom kayaked competitively in the Olympics in the 80s. Even though, Brian still put them to work on Lake Michigan. At one practice, Brian explained how they were going to paddle from Wilmette down to Oak Street Beach.One of the guys spoke in polish to Brian's #2 guy who responded, "No, he's not kidding".

Outrigger Chicago - 4th Place Sr. Masters - Catalina Crossing - Sept 9, 2012

Their goal: The Catalina Crossing. and they did it. 4th place in their age division and finished about the middle of the pack. I was also excited that our old club loaned them a canoe, and it just happen to be my favorite canoe when I paddled. I couldn't be more proud of Brian, he really pulled together this group of guys.

After the race Brian went up to Ventura with Nadean and Landon. I'm jealous he got to hang out in our old stomping grounds. There was a night at the pub (where we had our first date) when everyone came together, again, I was jealous. Dear friend Ona made Brian this lei, he brought it home for Mary and it still smelled amazing.

Next time Mary and I are going for sure.

Recent Pics 9/22/12

It has been waaay too long since I have uploaded pictures - lots has happen and I'm a little embarassed that some of these pictures are so old, BUT it means that I am busy which is a good thing!

McHenry County Fair - the Ventura County fair was always a big deal for us, it was 2.5 weeks long and tons of exhibits. Here in McHenry, it's 5 days long and about not quite as big. The first thing we noticed when we got there...no beer...But there were a lot of animals like in Ventura, and Mary LOVED them and would run right up to all of the animals, including the huge steers!

Mary's first corndog - shocking, she loved it!

A real live cow - she kept saying "Moooo"

Mary spent a lot of time with the birds

Checking out the goats

Mary and  Bonita - she saw some other kids feeding hay to the animals, so she tried, too

Family Fair Picture with a baby chick

Mary's favorite Steer, the head was as big as she is!

Mary had enough of being in the stroller, and wanted to walk like a big kid

Plumerias in bloom - Brian didn't expect we would get blooms this year, but we have tons

My Mom brough over the Fisher Price playhouse that belonged to me and Cort - It is Mary's favorite toy, she is so gentle with it.

Lake Michigan at a Canoe event with Daddy

Lake Michigan

HOUSE! Mary got a playhouse where she "cooks"

We had about 2 weeks inbetween unbearable heat and the fall chill - I'm glad I got a picture on the screen porch during the nice weather.